The Issues

I will listen to and work with folks across the political spectrum, and will fight to make sure the needs of Eastern Washington are a priority in Olympia

Healthcare

Jessa knows that healthcare is a basic need and is personally invested in creating a universal healthcare system that will save lives and not break the bank. She is currently involved in efforts to build a publicly financed and privately delivered healthcare system in the state to cover everyone not under a Federal plan and will work tirelessly to protect our rural clinics and hospitals. As a part of this legislative effort she will work to negotiate drug prices down and ensure fair reimbursement for services. Jessa is committed to ensuring we fix our broken mental health system and that nurses and hospital staff get the breaks they need to be effective in their jobs.

Education & Economic Opportunity

Jessa supports investments for our children such as universal pre-K programs and debt-free community college for WA students with an expanded focus on technology and the trades. She has the backing of the teachers unions because she will work to get more dollars into the classrooms and will push for evidence based curriculum and teaching practices as well as address the growing crisis of homeless students in our schools.

Jobs & Economic Development

Jessa is a strong believer that workers and small businesses drive the economy. She supports trade unions and the right to organize. Jessa knows the best way to build prosperity for all with a strong middle class is to empower workers, grow living wage jobs, and ensure workers can retire with dignity. She also is pushing for infrastructure investment in broadband, water systems, roads and more that will attract companies to move to the area. Jessa is a strong advocate not just for the workers but also business owners and entrepreneurs. You can count on her to fight regulations and policies that make it harder for businesses to start and survive.

Fiscal Responsibility

Jessa knows it’s your money. As a single working mom, she knows the struggles and challenges facing today’s families. She will work to end tax breaks that are no longer benefiting our communities and to push for the Working Families Tax Rebate that has sat unfunded for ten years to get money back in the pockets of working families.

Veterans and Military

Jessa knows we must do more to ensure access to affordable housing and care options for all of our veterans and military families in the region, as well as a good quality of life for the families of those who serve. Fairchild AFB and the VA are major institutions in our community and it’s imperative that the state holds up our end of the bargain.

Technology Investments

In Eastern Washington we are behind in terms of broadband connectivity and speed. Jessa will push for new investments in Washington to increase access to high speed broadband so that the companies of tomorrow can launch in our region. She is also a champion for energy security through green collar projects that will make our communities more resilient.

Infrastructure

Our region needs funding and maintenance of basic infrastructure including roads, bridges, sewers, culverts and other essential utilities. The Washington Public Works Trust Fund needs to be replenished. Our state has let too many of these essential infrastructure projects fall to the wayside. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road.

Guns

Jessa grew up in a household where hunting was how they put food on the table and as a teenager she competed in marksmanship in 4-H. She currently has a concealed carry permit but is also endorsed by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility and is a Moms Demand Action “Gun Sense Candidate” for her commitment as a responsible gun owner to passing gun safety legislation.

Retirement with Dignity

It is shameful that our seniors are skipping meals to afford medication and are struggling to find affordable places to live or are being forced from the homes. We have not done enough to prepare for our aging population and this needs to be our priority.

Natural Resource Management

As a former park ranger Jessa understands that our public lands are our heritage, and she will work to ensure we manage those resources for the wellbeing of current generations and the enjoyment of our children’s children. She will fight for the interests of those who hunt, fish, or camp in our state.

Climate Change & Agriculture

We must work now to ensure resilient communities in a time of changing climate. Food and water security are paramount, as are safeguards to ensure the stability of our local family farms. Washington State must take a stronger role in supporting international trade as well as establishing policies to support local food economies.

Criminal Justice Reform

It’s time to adopt “smart justice” practices and end our tax-wasting mass incarceration practices that don’t keep our communities safer. It’s also time to address unfunded mandates and a shortage of public defenders. We must also leverage apprenticeships and other programs that help those formerly incarcerated to find the jobs that will break the cycle.

Campaign Finance Reform & Trust

Jessa’s campaign is one funded by the people, and that is who she will represent. She’s pledged to work towards rebuilding the trust people have in their government.